Machine for cutting rigid foam blocks

ABSTRACT

A machine for cutting elongate rigid foam blocks using cutting wires through which an electrical current flows for heating thereof. A first group of such cutting wires extending in transverse direction being arranged at a vertical support frame of a horizontal support mechanism of the machine frame, the support frame being displaceable in the lengthwise direction of a block which is to be cut. A second set of such cutting wires likewise extends in the transverse direction at a horizontal support frame which can be moved up and down at the machine frame. According to the invention the support mechanism consists of longitudinally extending beams arranged at a lateral spacing from one another, the end portions of which are mounted at transverse beams of the machine frame. A lower transverse portion of the vertical support frame extends beneath and past the lengthwise extending beams and a third set of cutting wires is present which are arranged at the vertical support frame and which extend from the top towards the bottom through the lengthwise extending beams of the support mechanism.

[451 Jan. 29, 1974 1 MACHINE FOR CUTTING RIGID FOAM BLOCKS [76] Inventor: Wolfgang Pantel, Stuttgart,

Germany [22] Filed: July 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 272,048

[30] 1 Foreign Application Priority Data July 28, 1971 Switzerland 11131/71 [52] US. Cl 83/171, 83/651.l, 83/9153 [51] Int. Cl B26d 7/10 [58] Field of Search 83/171, 651.1, 915.3, 307.1, 83/3072; 425/106, 142, 164, 311, 316

Primary ExaminerRoy Lake Assistant Examiner-James F. Coan Attorney, Agent, or FirmWerner W. Kleeman [5 7] ABSTRACT A machine for cutting elongate rigid foam blocks using cutting wires through which an electrical current flows for heating thereof. A first group of such cutting wires extending in transverse direction being arranged at a vertical support frame of a horizontal support mechanism of the machine frame, the support frame being displaceable in the lengthwise direction of a block which is to be cut. A second set of such cutting wires likewise extends in the transverse direction at a horizontal support frame which can be moved up and down at the machine frame. According to the invention the support mechanism consists of longitudinally extending beams arranged at a lateral spacing from one another, the end portions of which are mounted at transverse beams of the machine frame. A lower transverse portion of the vertical support frame extends beneath and past the lengthwise extending beams and a third set of cutting wires is present which are arranged at the vertical support frame and which extend from the top towards the bottom through the lengthwise extending beams of the support mechanism.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 2 91974 SHEET 1 OF 3 PAIENIEUM 3,788,178

SHEEI 2 BF 3 FIG.2

MACHINE FOR CUTTING RIGID FOAM BLOCKS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved machine for cutting elongate rigid foam blocks while using cutting wiresthrough which an electrical current flows for the purpose of heating such cutting wires.

There is already known to the art machines which have a set of mutually parallel cutting wires and by means of which it is thus possible to cut a block into plates. In this regard attention is invited to German Petty Patent No. 1,704,872 and French Patent No. 1,355,283. Moreover, in the German Democratic Republic Patent No. 52,799 there is disclosed an apparatus in which a first set of cutting wires can be shifted in vertical direction in a frame by means of a grip at the side uprights or supports of a housing, and a second set of cutting wires are arranged vertically above one another in a second frame secured at the bottom. of the housing. The housing is also equipped with supportand guide ledges for the manual displacement of the block. against the last-mentioned cutting wires.

The invention starts from a machine of the type disclosed in Swiss Patent No. 394,586, wherein a first set of cutting wires extending in transverse direction is arranged at a vertical support frame of a machine housing with a horizontal support mechanism for a block which isto be cut, the support frame being displaceable in the lengthwise direction of the block. A second set of cutting wires likewise extending in transverse direction is arranged at a horizontal support frame which can be moved up and down at the machine housing. Also with this known machine the block resting upon a work table is cut in a first working operation only along horizontal planes into plates, whereafter in a second working operation these plates are further cut or sub-divided by the vertically moved cutting wires of the second set.

Particularly in the case of cutting very large rigid foam blocks, for instance those having a length of for instance 4.5 metres, there exists the need of being able to also laterally trim and/or cut the block in the lengthwise direction in approximately vertically extending planes. Also with the last-mentioned prior art machine this is not possible since the block bears'upon the table or the ledges which are mounted at the table. Hence, with this known machine the vertical support frame must be designed without a lower transverse portion, since such would of course abut against the block resting upon the table and the ledges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence his a primary object of the present invention to improve uponthe aforementioned machine such that it is possible to rapidly, economically and accurately cut rigid foam blocks in all three coordinate directions and to be able to carry out lateral trimming of such blocks, these operations being capable of being performed with the block resting upon the support mechanism.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates to a new and improved construction of machine for cutting rigid foam blocks in an economical and reliable manner and while overcoming the aforementioned limitations prevailing with the discussed state-of-th'e-art constructions.

With the foregoing objectives in mind it should be understood that the invention .is concerned with a construction of machine which renders it possible to simultaneously cut by horizontal and vertical cuts a block resting upon the support mechanism during travel of the vertical frame in the lengthwise direction of the machine and the block and, if necessary, also to be able to trim the longitudinal sides of the block by vertical cuts.

Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive ma chine is manifested by the features that:

a. the support mechanism consists of longitudinal beams arranged in lateral spaced relationship from one another, and the end portions of which are mounted at transverse beams of the machine frame;

b. a lower transverse portion of the vertical support frame extends below and past the longitudinal beams; and

c. a third set of cutting wires are arranged at the vertical support frame and extend from above downwardly between and through the longitudinal beams of the support mechanism.

Now according to a preferred physical manifestation of the invention it is further contimplated that the longitudinal beams of the support mechanism bear with their end portions at the transverse beams, at which for the purpose of rendering possible a change in their position in transverse direction of the machine such are detachably fixedly clamped. This construction renders possible the accommodation of the position of the longitudinal beams and the thereat intermediately located compartments required for the throughpassage of the cutting wires of the third set to the momentarily desired or required position of such cutting wires.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings and shows enough of the structure of the machine designed according to the teachings of this invention to enable those skilled in the art to readily understand the'underlying concepts thereof, and specifically wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the machine for cutting of rigid foam blocks;

' FIG. 2 is an end view of the machine depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the machine depicted in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings the machine illustrated therein will be seen to comprise a machine housing or frame designated in its entirety by reference character 1, and which in plan view will-be recognized to possess a substantially elongate rectangular configuration. This housing I is designed as a welded construction and specifically for the most part consists of tubing having rectangularshaped cross-section. At each'of the four corners of the machine housing 1 as viewed from the top there is provided a respective upright support or stand 2, 3, 4 and 5, of which only the latter extends over the entire height of the machine for reasons to be explained more fully hereinafter.

Continuing, it should be understood that a respective rail or track 8 and 9 is secured to laterally disposed and lengthwise or longitudinally extending beams 6 and 7, and at such rails 8 and 9 there can travel a travelling mechanism or carriage l and 11 respectively. Apart from the lower transverse beams 12 which serve to rigidly interconnect the upright stands or supports 2, 3, 4, and the longitudinal beams 6 and 7 there are also provided transverse beams 13 at both longitudinal ends of the housing, and specifically two pairs at each end, so that between the beams of each pair there is only present a relatively narrow throughpassage gap for threaded bolts 14. Bearing upon the transverse beams 13 are the end portions of throughpassing longitudinal beams 15 which collectively form a support mechanism for a rigid foam block B which is to be cut. The longitudinal beams 15 extend essentially parallel to the longitudinal beams 6 and 7 at a spacing from one another, and which spacing, for reasons to be explained more fully hereinafter, can be varied as long as the nuts 16 or the like arranged at the threaded bolts 14 piercingly extending through the longitudinal beams 15 are not tightened. the upright mounted The transverse portion 18a of a support frame 18 and which extends past and below the support beams 15 is connected by means of short angle iron pieces 17 to both carriages l0 and 11. The side portions 18b, 18c extend vertically upwards and are connected with one another by upper transverse portion 18d. At theupright supports 18b, 180 there are mounted vertically extending cutting wires 19 and horizontally extending cutting wires 20. In the case of all of these cutting wires 19 and 20 such are wires whichare held in a tensioned state and through which electrical current flows for the purpose of heating same. The manner of mounting and connection thereof with the electrical supply conductors is well known and therefore need not be further described. Now especially since depending upon requirements the spacing can be changed between the vertical cutting wires 19, it mustalso be possible to suitably change the spacing between the longitudinal beams 15 forming the support mechanism, and which can be carried out quite readily by loosening the screws 16 at the threaded bolts 14.

Now at each of the four upright supports 2, 3, 4 and 5 there is provided a guide column, wherein all of these four guide columns are designated by reference character 21 and are connected through the agency of connection members 22 at the neighboring housing upright supports. A carriage 23 can travel on each of these guide columns 21. Now at both sides of the machine housing there are secured to consoles or brackets of the there located carriages the end portions of a rigid carrier or support 24 and 25 respectively. At these carriers or supports 24 and 25 there are mounted the one or the other end of the cutting wires 26, similar to the cutting wires 19 and 20 at the support frame 18, in order to be able to extend in a taut condition transversely across the machine. These cutting wires 26 also have current flowing therethrough during the working periods during which they are effective in order to be able to carry out a lengthwise cutting or sub-division of the blocks B. In this regard it should be understood that the cutting wires 26 can be arranged at a random variable spacing from one another. The drive mechanism for raising and lowering both supports 24 and 25 together with the cutting wires 26 has not been shown, since such type drive mechanisms are well known from other machine constructions, for instance from automobile hoist installations, and thus it should be recognized that conventional drives suitable for this purpose can be employed. It should also be understood that both carriers or supports 24, 25 during such upward and downward movement should be always located at the same height. The upper and lower terminal positions are controlled, for instance, by suitable electrical terminal switches which can be mounted at the upright support 5 which for this reason is greater in height than the other three supports 2, 3, 4 of the machine frame. The upper terminal position has been shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cutting wires 26 are then upwardly displaced to such an extent that they do not hinder the lengthwise movement of the support frame 18 together with both carriages l0 and 11 at the rails 8 and 9. In the lower terminal position of both supports 24 and 25 the cutting wires 26 extend through recesses 27 which are provided at the upper side of the lengthwise extending beams 15 of the support mechanism.

Upon charging of the machine with a rigid foam block B which is to be cut the support frame 18 together with the associated travelling carriages l0 and 11 are located at the one or other end of the machine. Thereafter the power supply for the supply of electrical current to the cutting wires 19 and 20 is switched-in and immediately thereafter the non-illustrated drive mechanism is switched-on, which then moves the support frame 18 at a uniform velocity from one to the other end of the machine. As a result, the rigid foam block B is sub-divided horizontally and vertically by the cutting wires 19 and 20 in a transverse cut. As soon as this operation has been terminated then it is possible to switch-in the power supply for feeding the electrical current to the cutting wires 26, and thereafter-to also switch-in the drive mechanism which moves the supports 24, 25 together with the cutting wires 26 from the upper into the lower terminal position, for the lengthwise sub-division of the strips in which the block B has previously been sub-divided by the cutting wires 19 and 20. After removal of the thus obtained block portions from the support mechanism the carriers or supports 24 and 25 are again brought into their upper terminal position by suitably switching-in the associated drive mechanism. Immediately thereafter it is possible to again deposit at the support mechanism a block B which is to be cut.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. A machine for cutting substantiallyelongate rigid foam blocks by means of cutting wires through which flows an electrical current for heating of such cutting wires, a first set of such cutting wires extending in the transverse direction being arranged at a substantially vertical support frame mounted at a machine housing with a substantially horizontal support mechanism for the block to be cut, the vertical support frame being displaceable in lengthwise direction of the block, a sec- 0nd set of such cutting wires likewise extending in transverse direction being arranged at a horizontal support frame which can be moved up and down at the machine housing, the improvement comprising:

a. said support mechanism comprising longitudinal beams arranged at a lateral spacing from one another, said longitudinal beams having end portions mounted at transverse extending beams of said machine housing;

b. said vertical support frame being movably disposed beneath said horizontal support frame and having a lower transverse portion which extends below and past said longitudinal beams and an upper transverse portion which is located above said longitudinal beams; and

c. a third set of cutting wires arranged at the vertical support frame and extending from the top towards the bottom between and through the longitudinal beams of the support mechanism.

2. The machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said longitudinal beams of the support mechanism bear at their end portions uponsaid transverse beams, and means for detachably fixedly clamping said end portions of said longitudinal beams at said transverse beams for the purpose of rendering possible a change in their position in the transverse direction of the machine. 

1. A machine for cutting substantially elongate rigid foam blocks by means of cutting wires through which flows an electrical current for heating of such cutting wires, a first set of such cutting wires extending in the transverse direction being arranged at a substantially vertical support frame mounted at a machine housing with a substantially horizontal support mechanism for the block to be cut, the vertical support frame being displaceable in lengthwise direction of the block, a second set of such cutting wires likewise extending in transverse direction being arranged at a horizontal support frame which can be moved up and down at the machine housing, the improvement comprising: a. said support mechanism comprising longitudinal beams arranged at a lateral spacing from one another, said longitudinal beams having end portions mounted at transverse extending beams of said machine housing; b. said vertical support frame being movably disposed beneath said horizontal support frame and having a lower transverse portion which extends below and past said longitudinal beams and an upper transverse portion which is located above said longitudinal beams; and c. a third set of cutting wires arranged at the vertical support frame and extending from the top towards the bottom between and through the longitudinal beams of the support meChanism.
 2. The machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said longitudinal beams of the support mechanism bear at their end portions upon said transverse beams, and means for detachably fixedly clamping said end portions of said longitudinal beams at said transverse beams for the purpose of rendering possible a change in their position in the transverse direction of the machine. 